These Sparkling Sugared Cranberries are like little edible jewels bright, shiny, and bursting with Christmas spirit! They’ve got that perfect balance of tart and sweet, wrapped up in a frosty sugar coating that makes them look straight out of a snow globe. You’ll love how simple they are just a few ingredients, a quick swirl in sugar syrup, and voilà the prettiest holiday garnish or snack you’ll ever make. Scatter them over cakes, drop them into cocktails, or serve them in little bowls at your next holiday party. They’re festive, fun, and ridiculously easy to fall in love with.
Quick Look
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Rest Time: 1 hour
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Serves: 12 (as a garnish or sweet snack)
Ingredients
- 2 cups fresh cranberries
- ½ cup white sugar (for syrup)
- ¼ cup water
- 1½ cups (190 g) powdered sugar, sifted
What You’ll Need
No fancy tools, just simple kitchen basics:
- Medium saucepan
- Slotted spoon
- Mixing bowls
- Parchment paper or wire rack
- Fine mesh sifter
How To Make Them
- Make the syrup: In a saucepan, combine sugar and water over medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves it should be hot but not bubbling.
- Coat the cranberries: Working in small batches, toss the cranberries gently in the warm syrup until coated and glossy. Remove with a slotted spoon and place on parchment paper. Let them sit for 5 minutes until tacky.
- Add the sparkle: Pour the powdered sugar into a bowl and add a handful of sticky cranberries. Gently swirl the bowl so they roll and coat evenly in the sugar this is where the magic happens!
- Dry and set: Spread the sugared cranberries on parchment paper and let them dry for about an hour until crisp and beautifully frosted.
Pro Tips
- Don’t let the syrup boil it’ll pop the cranberries!
- For extra sparkle, give them a second sugar coat halfway through drying.
- They keep best in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- Use them to decorate cakes, cocktails, or even a festive charcuterie board!
Nutrition
| Calories | Protein | Carbs | Fat | Sugar |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 90 | 0 g | 24 g | 0 g | 22 g |